Monday 10 August 2020

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Reconstruction Plan:

Cameroon Should Prioritize ‘Desire’ of Anglophones
- US Diplomat

Tibor Peter Nagy Jr., the United States Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of African Affairs, Department of State, says the UNDP-backed Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the North West and South West Regions (PPRD-NW/SW) may only succeed if government understands the “keen desire” of the people.
   

US under-secretary for African Affairs, Tibor Nagy
The U.S. diplomat was speaking Thursday, July 30, 2020, during a hearing of the Committee on Foreign Affairs: Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations.
    Nagy’s comments came as Congress listened to an update on the COVID-19 pandemic response in Africa.
    “Anything having to do with Cameroon has to be overweighed with the problem of the conflict that is going on,” Nagy said, referring to the on-going socio-political unrest in Cameroon’s North West and South West Regions where state forces are battling armed separatists who seek to create a breakaway state called Ambazonia.
    Ambassador Nagy added that: “For example, now the Cameroonian government is talking about a new UN development program for the North West and the South West. Unfortunately, there is just no way to implement that.
    “And the Cameroonian government seems to forget that the number one desire of the people of the North West and South West is to have a say over their affairs. It is one thing to talk about development. But at the heart of it, is their keen desire to have control over their own lives. Until the Cameroonian government understands that, all these plans are going to come and they are not going to succeed.”
    The SUN recalls that on May 18, 2020, Nagy took to twitter calling on the belligerents in the conflict to “stop [the] violence and start talking.”
    He said the killing of civilians is inexcusable, citing the killings in Ngarbuh attributed to state forces and the killing of the Mayor of Mamfe by armed separatists.
    His words: “Government killing of civilians in Cameroon is inexcusable. I urge follow-through on Ngarbuh investigation and many other incidents of this nature. I also condemn separatist attacks on local officials such as the murder of Mamfe’s mayor.  Stop the violence, start talking.”
    Paul Tasong and Donatus Njong were, in April, respectively installed National Coordinator and Deputy National Coordinator of the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the North West and South West Regions, PPRD-NW/SW.
    The duo is expected to ensure “the rehabilitation of about 350 schools, 115 health centers, 40 bridges, 400 power points, 500 KM of Low tension power points, 600KM of rural roads, 45 markets, 12000 houses, 25000hectares of farmland, livestock lost by grazers, the reestablishment of close to 3000 personal documents lost.”
    Tasong and his team were in the two regions from Monday, June 22 to Friday, July 3, 2020, for what they said was an “Awareness and Sensitization Mission.”
    Corporate demands by Common Law Lawyers and Anglophone Teachers led to protests in November 2016. The street demonstrations later morphed into ongoing running gun battles between state forces and armed separatist fighters in the predominantly English-speaking regions, leading to untold destruction of human lives, their habitats, and livelihoods.

Post-War Reconstruction of NW/SW:

Church Leaders Endorse Presidential Plan

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde

Religious leaders in the NW and SW regions have given their blessing for the start of the Presidential Plan for the Reconstruction and Development of the two crisis-hit regions, PPRD-NW/SW. 
    The church leaders endorsed the plan following deliberations with the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP - Cameroon’s partner in the implementation of the plan.
    The meeting at the Archdiocese of Douala on Wednesday 5 August 2020 focused on how the plan could alleviate the negative effects of the four-year conflict on the population. Apart from the effect of conflict, the church leaders noted that the covid-19 has added to the sufferings of the population.
    “In this regard, the religious leaders in support of the UNDP plan, strongly endorse and support the implementation of the recovery plan as it focuses on the people in strengthening social cohesion, revitalisation of local economy, and access to basic services,” partly read a release that was issued after the meeting.
    While calling on friends and partners to contribute resources for the plan, the religious authorities called on the population of the two regions to also cooperate and facilitate its implementation.
    The religious leaders expressed the wish to be regularly consulted and updated on developments on the ground throughout the implementation process.
    The Resident Representative of the UNDP, Jean-Luc Stalon Tuesday 5 May 2020 signed a Financing Agreement and the Project Document of the Plan with the government, represented by the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, MINEPAT, Alamine Ousmane Mey.
    According to the project document, UNDP is expected to among other things ensure: the production of deliverables and timely attainment of the results; capacity building of stakeholders in the perspective of the transfer of knowledge and development of know-how both at the central and local levels; ensure the exit strategy and continuation of the implementation of the programme by national partners. Government has already made available FCFA 89 682 938 100 billion representing 10% of what would be used for the first phase of the plan.
    The reconstruction committee led by Minister Paul Tasong, will oversee the construction of: 350 Schools; rehabilitate some 115 Health Centers; 40 Bridges; 600km of rural roads; rehabilitate 400 power points, 500 Km of low tension power points; construct over 45 Markets; 12000 houses, 25000 hectares of farm land, livestock lost by grazers,  and re-establish over 3000 personal documents destroyed as a result of the over 3-year armed conflict in the two regions.
    The Douala meeting brought together religious leaders including; Cardinal Christian Tumi, Emeritus Archbishop of Douala; Bishop Micheal Bibi, Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Buea;  Bishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea, Archbishop of Bamenda; Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon; Reverend Dr. Godwill Ncham Chiatoh, Executive President of the Full Gospel Mission in Cameroon, Reverend Mbiwan Enonchong Daniel, General Superintendent of the Full Gospel Mission in Cameroon, Tukur Mohammed Adamu, Imam of the Bamenda Central Mosque, Mallam Mohammed Abouka, Chief Imam, Buea Central Mosque and Bishop Dibo Elango of the Anglican Communion.
 

Reconstruction & Dev’t of NW, SW:

Donga Mantung, Ndian Say They Are Ready
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde

At a time many administrative authorities in the North West and South West regions are still grappling with the recurrent gun battles and escalating violence in their areas of command, the Senior Divisional Officers, SDOs of Donga Mantung in the Northwest and Ndian in the Southwest regions have expressed the wish to see the commencement of the reconstruction plan in their administrative units.
    Dr. Dooh Simon Nkwenti of Donga Mantung and Fowang Lawrence of Ndian in two separate outings boast of return to peace and calm in their administrative units, stating clearly that there is nothing that would stop the coordinators from commencing the rebuilding process.
    Nkwenti made his wish known during a meeting to evaluate the security situation in Nwa sub-division, 4 August 2020 during which a new deputy mayor was voted to replace that recently murdered by separatist fighters.  
    Nkwenti urged all those still carrying guns in the bushes in some parts of the Division to drop their weapons and surrender to the security forces and join the plan to rebuild the Division, adding that Nwa subdivision though a separatist hotspot due to its proximity to neighbouring Nigeria remains under the control of security elements and would be peaceful like other parts of the Division.
    On his part, Fowang during an enlarged meeting organised to discuss with youth of Ndian within the week said the Division was ready to start the implementation of the reconstruction programme.
    The SDO boast of return to peace which he said is evident with the normal functioning of activities in the economic sector and the massive turnout of pupils and students for classes.
    He said the population of Ndian long killed and buried the ghost town and lockdown phenomenon and has decided to take their future by their own hands by letting go the armed conflict rocking other parts of the Anglophone regions.
    Their claim of a return of peace in their areas of command remains questionable as free movement of persons and goods in the areas is still a great concern.
    Pockets of resistances are still being put up by separatist fighters in these two areas and killings, kidnapping for ransom among other incidents are still being recorded in parts of the Divisions.

Covid-19 Solidarity Fund:

Rene Sadi Ruffled By Embezzlement Allegation
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde

Rene Emmanuel Sadi
Communication Minister, Rene Emmanuel Sadi has refuted media reports alleging that he received and mismanaged FCFA 8 billion from the funds meant to fight the COVID-19 in the country.
    In a disclaimer issued Wednesday 5 August 2020, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication, Prof. Felix Zogo, distanced the Minister from what he terms fictitious and truncated reports by some media organs. Zogo said the Ministry requested for FCFA 300 million from the government to permit it to adequately educate and inform the public about the virus, but only FCFA 100 million was disbursed.
    “The head of government instructed the Ministry of Finance on 27 March 2020 to disburse FCFA 100 million to the Ministry of Communication, representing just one third of the amount requested,” noted Zogo, adding that since then the ministry has never received any further funds on the COVID-19 account apart of that which was authorised by the PM.
    He said the requested sum was later raised to FCFA 420 million following the decree of the PM on 22 July 2020 relating to the financial allocations to certain institutions in government’s response plan to combat.
    “The Minister of Communication therefore considers these fictitious and truncated reports by some media organs in the country as blatant professional drift that deals a serious blow to the Cameroonian media thereby seriously denting its credibility,” Zogo said.
   
Journalist Sismondi Bidjoka
Zogo’s outing follows revelations of harassment made by a Yaounde-based journalist, Sismondi Barlev Bidjocka by two police officers at the Minister’s cabinet following a report he did on radio indicating the Minister had allegedly received FCFA 8 billion from the COVID-19 funds.
    The reporter said he was invited for questioning by the Minister through his Director of Private Media Observation only to be assaulted by security elements and later ferried to the General Delegation of National Security for further questioning all in a bid to force him disclose the source of his information. The Mincom has denied the journalist was sequestered or tortured.
    “Contrary to false allegations spread by the journalist, MINCOM has never received any billions; … neither this journalist, nor his children, was subjected to mistreatment, let alone sequestration in the office of the Minister of Communication,” Zogo said in his disclaimer.
However, in a social media report that went viral, the radio broadcaster declared that he was kidnapped and undressed by police officers in Minister Sadi’s office. He also claimed that he was molested on grounds to disclose the source of his information.
    He said “no matter what each has had in these solidarity funds, we will find out and say it.”
     Sismondi says he was undressed in front of his two kids by police elements in the Minister’s cabinet. 

From Mukete III to Mukete IV:


Nfon V. E Mukete Presents His Successor to Meme SDO

By Ekoko Willies in Kumba

The traditional ruler of Kumba who doubles as paramount ruler of the Bafaw clan, Senator Nfon V.E Mukete has officially presented his chosen successor to the Meme administration led by the SDO, Chamberlin Ntou’ou Ndong. The new paramount ruler, Nfon Victor Ekoko Mukete (Nfon Mukete IV), was presented to the Meme administration at a ceremony holding at the Nfon’s Palace in Kumba, on Tuesday 4 August 2020.
   

Nfon Victor Ekoko Mukete (Nfon Mukete IV) with Meme SDO
The official presentation was done after consultative talks that brought together the heads of the 10 Bafaw families (villages) including notably the Bakum, Banbambai, Badumbang, Ma'esong, Mandimukoma, Bashibi, Babuka, Mbamu, Enong, Ma'ukosa and the Bafaw family heads.
    Receiving the new paramount ruler, the SDO thanked Nfon V.E Mukete for the wise decision to hand over the throne while he is still alive. He said the Nfon’s decision is unprecedented and speaks volumes of his love for his community and his children.
    Ntou’ou Ndong said the move will avert whatever squabbles that might have erupted within the royal family and the Bafaw clan, and which would have made the succession process difficult and burdensome had the Nfon ‘disappeared’ without choosing a successor.
    The SDO told the Bafaw chiefs present that the presentation was just the first step as the new ruler will have to be officially installed in the days ahead.
    He urged the new ruler to emulate the footsteps of his father and work closely with the administration, forces of law and order to stop the ghost town syndrome that has crippled socio-economic life in Kumba.
    Nfon Mukete in his address on the occasion, noted that his very advanced age would not allow him to do many things in the palace, reason he thought it wise to designate one of his sons, whom he believes can carry the throne forward, to continue in his place.
    The historic transition was witnessed among others by Dos, Mayors, Quarter Heads and a cross section of the Bafaw and Kumba populations.
    The 53-year-old new paramount ruler is the last son of Nfon V. E. Mukete III.
Nfon V.E Mukete IV is a business magnate. He     is Chairman of the United Bank of Africa (UBA), CEO of Spectrum, Vice President of the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Honorary Consul of Turkey among many other caps.
 

COVID-19:

New Screening Centres Created

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde

Gov’t has created new covid-19 screening centres
After launching mobile screening caravans to multiply testing of the Coronavirus across the country, the Ministry of Public Health has created over 100 new screening centres across the ten regions to improve testing, tracking and treatment of patients as the number of positive cases surges.
     As per the list made public by the ministry, Adamawa region will have 4 new centres, 14 in Centre, 3 in East, 5 in Far North, 9 in Littoral, 7 in North, 16 in North West, 3 in West, 23 in the South and 12 in South West.
    This new centres according to the ministry is aimed at encouraging Cameroonians in all regions to massively go for screening. Experts of the ministry stated that the only means of eradicating the virus in the country is to ensure communities take the lead in sensitization and screening.
    During the daily press briefings on the evolution of the COVID-19 4 August 2020, Dr. George Alain Etoundi Mballa, Coordinator of the Cameroon Health Emergency Operations Centre, emphasized that all hospitals and screening centres are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to carry out COVID-19 tests.
Etoundi urged persons presenting symptoms of the virus to shun fear and get themselves tested in the decentralized screening centres. The creation of the new screening centres comes after the launching of mobile caravans across populated areas like markets, motor parks, and university campuses to increase the testing.
    Statistics presented during the inter-ministerial committee to monitor the response plan indicates that Cameroon has so far recorded 17,586 confirmed cases, 15996 cured with 1117 active cases and 393 deaths recorded.

Hon. John Ebong Ngolle:

The Great Statesman Who Might Have Been
Given a regime that reluctantly gives opportunity to Anglophones, John Ebong Ngolle had the rare opportunity of being among the few with an enviable career ascendancy in both the Ahidjo, as well as the Biya regimes. He had a wonderful career as civil administrator. But his lifestyle and character shortcomings prevented this son of a Pastor from generating the loyalty that should have given him a more successful political career. Ebong had a topsy-turvy political career that undermined him. He felt disappointed on several occasions.
By Ayukogem Steven Ojong in Yaounde

In his autobiography titled ‘Because I Am Involved’, Nigeria’s rebel leader of Biafra fame, Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, described the West African giant’s one-time military and later, civilian President, General Olusegun Obasanjo, thus: “Here was a man who without being a great statesman in his time grew to become the greatest elder statesman of his time.”
    This verdict by Ojukwu on Obasanjo, by every reckoning, contradicts with the verdict that should be passed on John Ebong Ngolle, the many times SDO, two times Governor and one-time Minister and Board Chairman.
   

John Ebong Ngolle failed to become an elder statesman in his time
 

If one were to pass a confidential verdict on this illustrious son of Enyandong, in Bangem, Kupe Muanenguba division, it would not be wrong to say: “…here was a man who, being a statesman in his day, failed to grow and become the greatest elder statesman of his time.”
    In a political system that is known to marginalize Anglophones, John Ebong Ngolle had the rare opportunity to have an exceptional ascendancy and career profile as a civil administrator. Beginning in 1960-61 as a finance officer in the PM’s Office of the then West Cameroon in Buea, Ebong Ngolle would later be appointed as DO and later SDO.
    He was about the only Anglophone civil administrator to have served as SDO in eight of the then nine divisions of the NW and SW. His brilliant performance as SDO won for him the admiration of the authorities in Yaounde. He was appointed as the Governor of the SW region on 11 October 1989 and moved two years later in March 1991, to the NW in the same capacity.
    Governor Ebong Ngolle’s careful handling of the tense socio-political situation in the NW region in the heat of the burgeoning multi-party democracy with the creation of the SDF party, did not go unnoticed. His expert management of the parliamentary election in 1992, ensuring a crushing victory for Paul Biya’s CPDM which swept all 20 seats in the NW region, endeared him to Biya, who did not hesitate to compensate him with appointment as Minister of Special duties at the Presidency.
    Once in Yaounde, Ebong Ngolle together with Prof. Peter Agbor Tabi, Dorothy Njeuma, Ephraim Inoni and other young SW political enthusiasts, rallied behind the then political patriarch and leader of the region, Pa E.T Egbe. They began clamouring for the appointment of a son of the SW as PM.
    Working under the banner of the South West Elite Association, SWELA, and under the experienced and cautionary leadership and guidance of Pa E.T Egbe, Ebong Ngolle, Agbor Tabi and the others fought very hard for the SW to be given the post of PM. They addressed several memoranda to President Biya, reminding him that the SW has never held any top position in the power arrangement of the country since the reunification in 1961.
    But when Biya in 1996 decided to heed the request of these frontline SW nationalists, and when many thought and expected that either of Ebong Ngolle, Agbor Tabi or Dorothy Njeuma should be made the PM, the unpredictable Biya landed his choice instead on Peter Mafany Musonge, who was the GM of CDC at the time.
    This reporter recalls that in its report on Musonge’s appontment, Radio Nigeria said: “President Paul Biya of Cameroon has sacked his Prime Minister, Simon Achidi Achu and appointed little known Peter Mafany Musonge to replace him.”
    This description of Musonge by the journalists of Radio Nigeria as “little known” was exactly the view that was held by most political watchers in Cameroon at the time, except perhaps for the young but very informed journalist, diplomat and political enthusiast, Churchill Ewumbue-Monono, who in a write-up published in The Post newspaper in 1996 and titled: “Can An Anglophone Replace Achidi Achu As PM?”, analyzed the chances of the main Anglophone postulants for the post of PM including incumbent Achidi Achu, Ebong Ngolle, Agbor Tabi and Dorothy Njeuma. Monono dismissed the possibility of any of these persons taking the office from Achidi. He instead landed his pick on Mafany Musonge, who was GM of CDC at the time.
    It is interesting to note that after this publication in The Post, Churchill Monono became a wanted man to Ebong Ngolle and Agbor Tabi in Yaounnde. The two did not take kindly Churchill’s marketing of the ‘little known’ Musonge, and not them, to Biya.
    When eventually Biya appointed Musonge, and not Ebong or Agbor Tabi, as PM in September 1996, it was evident that these two persons felt disappointed by their boss, Biya. And they did not conceal their disappointment.
    And, not oblivious that these his two brothers were more of his rivals than loyal collaborators in government, Musonge did not hesitate to recommend their sacking from government that is, when Biya gave him the opportunity in 1997.
    Ebong Ngolle’s second disappointment came in 2013, in the build-up to the senatorial election.
    It was understood that Ebong was the list leader of the senatorial candidates for the SW region. Indiscretions by informed political watchers even hinted that Biya was seriously contemplating making Ebong the Senate President in the event his entry into the Upper House of Parliament.
    But as fate would have it, Ebong’s political adversaries told Biya that Ebong had a case to answer at the special criminal court (the famous Charles Metouk saga) and that it would be imprudent and preposterous to let him get to the senate.
    This was how Ebong Ngolle’s name was expunged from the SW senate list and replaced with Hon. Ntube Ndode.
     It is understood that Ebong did not digest this other disappointment, until his dying day.         And what this series of disappointments caused him were far-reaching as they were life-wasting to say the very least.
    Yet, even as some analysts attributed Ebong Ngolle’s failure to rise to the top to bad luck and maybe, Biya’s unpredictable nature in exercising his high prerogatives as head of state, others blamed it on what they said was Ebong’s character shortcomings that prevented him from generating the requisite loyalty that should have drawn President Biya’s attention towards him.
    Dr Boniface Forbin of The Herald Newspaper, once said this of Ebong Ngolle: “As for Ebong Ngolle, the Sonara Board Chairman, he is dismissed as lazy and sometimes given to alcohol. Ebong is credited with a successful tenure as governor of the NW region, which earned him.promotion as Minister at the Presidency. But Ebong was not a good team player among South West elite in Yaounde. He was said to have spent time criticizing and fighting Musonge and sometimes even posed his candidature against Musonge. The latter took the first opportunity that Biya gave him and threw Ebong out of the government.”
    Be it as it may, Ebong’s admirers describe him as one of the greatest personalities that the SW region ever produced. Many say buried in  his towering stature was an exceptional leadership acumen, a kind heart and a charming and likeable persona.

Journey of a Statesman:

Hon. Ebong Ngolle Sleeps in K’ba

By Ekoko Willies in Kumba

John Ebong Ngolle, former Minister in charge of Special Missions at the Presidency of the Republic, who died on 2 July 2020, has been buried in his private residence in Kumba. The departed statesman was raised posthumously to the dignity of Commander of the Cameroon Order of Valor.
    The medal signifying the new status of the late statesman was placed on his casket by South West Governor, Bernard Okalia Bilai, who represented the Head of State at the funeral ceremonies that were staged at the deceased’s residence at Mile I, Mbonge road, Kumba.
   

SW Governor, Okalia Bilai, decorates Ebong Ngolle posthumously
 

In President Biya’s condolence message that was read on the occasion by Meme SDO, Chamberlin Ntou’ou Ndong, he noted that Ebong Ngole’s death is no doubt a big loss to Kupe-Muanenguba Division, the SW region and the CPDM party.
    Representing the Secretary General of the CPDM party, the Secretary for Organization at the CPDM Central Committee, Minister Talba Malla, said the news of Hon. Ebong’s death was received with deep consternation at the party secretariat.
    He described the deceased as the ‘political Maradona of the South West Region, noting that Hon. Ebong always predicted the outcome of every political move.
    “Hon. Ebong Ngolle was a politician and statesman who has left indelible footprints on the sands of time,” Talba said.
    Speaking on behalf of the SONARA family, the Board Chair, madam Bertha Ndoh Bakata, who succeeded the late Ebong Ngolle on the seat, described the death as the loss of a pillar who served Sonara for 25 years with ingenuity, helping to improve the standards of the national oil refinery.
    During a funeral service earlier held at the Presbyterian Church Kumba Town, Moderator emeritus, Nya-sako Ni Nku, prayed for the repose of Ebong Ngolle’s soul.
    Drawing his sermon from the book of John 14:1-6, he underscored the point that nothing is politically right, when it is morally wrong. He challenged politicians to have fear of the Lord so that they should have wisdom to serve the nation.
    Ebong Ngole started his civil service career in 1960-61, in the PM’s Office of former West Cameroon in Buea, where he was chief of service for finance.
    In his rich and enviable career as administrator, Ebong served as DO and SDO in almost all the Divisions in the North West and South West regions. His exceedingly brilliant career as civil administrator was sanctioned by his appointment as Governor of the SW and later the NW region.
    Present at the burial among others was former Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Ngolle Ngolle Elvis, Senator Otte Andrew, The CDC Board Chair Hon. Chief Justice Benjy Itoe, the MP for Kumba Urban, Hon. Tabot Lawson Bakia, MP for Konye/Mbonge, Hon. Ekolle Peters, the General Manager of Pamol, Mekanya Charles Okon, the Kumba City Mayor, Mayors of local councils in Meme, religious and traditional authorities and a cross section of the Meme population.

DABEX Trading Company Sarl, Y’de:

A New Innovative & Diversified Services Provider Goes Operational
Dabex Trading Company specializes in real estate management, import-export, logistics management, transit and forwarding, ticketing, agro-business etc. The company launched its activities on Saturday, 8 August in Yaounde.

General Manager of Dabex Trading Company signing his appointment contract
An innovative, diversified service and solutions providing company has seen the light of day in Yaounde. Created in 2016, Dabex Trading Company Sarl officially launched its activities on Saturday 8 August 2020, in Mendong Yaounde.
    Founded by a young and dynamic Germany-based Cameroonian business enthusiast, Daba Bertrand, Dabex Trading Company provides specialist solutions to its customers in the areas if real estate, import/export, logistics management, transit/forwarding, ticketing, agro-marketing among others.
    Launching its activities and officially opening the doors of its Marche Mendong head office to the public, on Saturday, 8 August 2020, the representative of the Founder/CEO of Dabex, Dickson Tambe, who is brother of Daba Bertrand, thanked the hundreds of guests present for honoring their invitation to be at the historic launching ceremony.
   
Some workers of Dabex Trading Company Sarl
 

Tambe invoked God Almighty to pour his blessings on the management and sundry staff of Dabex so that they can pilot the company to its desired destination.
    The cutting of the ribbon to symbolically open the doors of the company to the public, was done by the father of the Founder/CEO, who seized the occasion to pour the libation, invoking the gods and ancestors to bless his son’s endeavor with success.
    The MC of the day then introduced the young General Manager of the company, Egbe Stephen Enoyah, who was installed by the company’s legal adviser. Egbe Stephen also publicly took the oath of office, promising to uphold and protect the ideals, secrets and the books of the company.
    It should be mentioned that Egbe Stephen holds a B.Sc in Business Management from the University of Buea, and a diploma in logistics and supply management from the University of Abu Dhabi.
    Other workers of the company including the accounts officer, IT manager, receptionist, security officer among others also took the oath of service and duty.
    Guests were treated to a brief and concise presentation of the company and the activities it seeks to carry out. This was done by the GM, who used the occasion to exhort the guests present to be ambassadors of the company by selling its ideals and objectives to the wider public.
    Egbe noted that Dabex Trading Company, though a diversified service provider, prioritizes real estate management. In this domain the company handles issues of land and landed property sourcing, sale, rental, rents collection etc for its clients. He inviting interested investors customers to come and buy shares and/or register with the company, noting that persons can withdraw their investments whenever they wish.
    He said the company’s projects in perspective include the building of a shopping mall, investments in hotels, guest houses, recreational facilities, creation of modern office spaces and other commercial facilities.
    The IT manager also took his turn to explain the IT concept of the company.
    Guests were treated to a sumptuous reception, with food and drinks aplenty.  
 

Anglophone Conflict:


Pastor Killed in Batibo for Denouncing ‘Amba’

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde

Ambazonia fighters operating in Batibo, Momo Division in the North West Region have murdered a humanitarian aid worker for openly denouncing their excesses on the already suffering population.
    Tanjoh Christopher Fon, a field agent with the Community Initiative for Sustainable Development, COMINSUD was kidnapped Friday 7 August 2020. The 55-year-old aid worker who doubled as Pastor with New Apostolic Church was murdered on the eve of his birthday.
    He was serving as field agent for the World Food Program supported general food distribution project to the affected population and internally displaced persons in the Guzang cluster.
A release issued by Fon Nsoh, COMINSUD Coordinator, Saturday 8 August 2020, reveals that Tanjoh was kidnapped Friday at about 9 a.m., tortured and later dumped at the entrance to the St John of God Hospital Batibo where he bled to death.
    According to COMINSUD Coordinator, the worker’s ‘crime’ was that he denounced the excesses of the armed men on civilians.
    The release states that Tanjoh had recorded an audio in the Moghamo language and sent to an “Amba Captain” in which he condemned greed, extortion, kidnappings for ransom and terrorizing the same population they claim to protect.  
    “We think that as an older person and pastor, he did just what he was supposed to do. Civilians should not be the target and the object of the current armed conflict. If people are to fight for the population they should not also make the population to suffer,” partly read the COMINSUD release.
    The NGO condemned in very strong terms what they termed the “horrific execution of a humanitarian” and reiterated appeals for belligerents to protect civilians and aid workers.
 

Anglophone Conflict:

Amba Boys Behead Girl for Dating Soldier
Once Treasure, 22, was suspected of dating a gov’t soldier, she paid the high price. Amba boys cut-off her neck 

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde

A young lady whose name we got as Treasure Keno has brutally been murdered by Ambazonia fighters in Bamenda in the North West Region. The macabre act is said to have been carried out 3 August 2020.
    Reports say Treasure was murdered for having a love relationship with a soldier. Her corpse was dumped by the murderers at the road side. Shocking video showing her lifeless body went viral on social media. The video suggested she might have been raped then murdered.
    Another video that circulated showed her drinking and dancing with some young men. She was killed with the same dress she wore while dancing in the said video with the young men. It is not clear if the young she was dancing with in the video have a hand in her death.
    Reports we could not independently confirm has it that she once had love affairs with Amba fighters in her native Batibo village. Her ex-lovers tagged her as a blackleg and spy once they discovered she was in another relationship with a soldier. Residents of Old Town where she lived in Bamenda said she led a reckless lifestyle.
    The North West Coordinator of the Northwest Southwest Women's Task Force, SWNOT, Clodtilda Andiensa has condemned her death, stating that war should be fought on women.
    “Don’t fight war on women. A woman’s love life cannot be decided by parties in a conflict,” Andiensa said.
    At a time many are condemning the act, Ambazonia self-styled ‘General’ Capo Daniel has in an audio record released one day after the incident, justified the killing, stating that it is acceptable for spies to be killed during war. 
    Since the escalation of the crisis into an armed conflict, separatist fighters have killed many persons they consider ‘blacklegs’ or spy on their activities. 

NW, SW Crisis:

Anglophone Detainee Dies Chained In Hospital Bed
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde

There has been widespread condemnation following the inhumane treatment given deceased Anglophone detainee, Nganyu Thomas Tangem while undergoing treatment at the Yaounde Central Hospital.
   

Thomas Tangem
Images of the deceased, chained in his sick hospital bed like a hardened criminal, has whipped up bitter sentiments in the minds of many. Separatist fighters and apologists of the armed conflict rocking the two Anglophone regions have used the disturbing pictures to further advanced their claims of Anglophones being hated by the Yaounde regime.
    News of his death was made public Wednesday 5 August 2020 by Barrister Amungwa Nicodemus Esq, Head of the Communication Department of the Defense team of the detained Ambazonia leaders.
    “The chairman of communication and media for the defence team of Ayuk Tabe and other Southern Cameroonian detainees announce with deep regret the death of Tangem Thomas at 10 minutes to six in the morning this August 05th, 2020 at the Yaounde Central Hospital. Pa Tom died in chains to the satisfaction of the prison and justice administrators. The corpse is about now being kept in the mortuary of the Central Hospital Yaounde,” said Amungwa in a statement that went viral across social media.
    Tangem who is said to be a welder was arrested in 2018 on allegations of been a supporter of the armed conflict. He reportedly took ill some five months ago and was only evacuated to the hospital for blood transfusion 25 July 2020 at the point of death after weeks of meningitis attack.
    His death has raised more questions on the detention conditions and treatment given inmates by prison administrators. The 57-year-old was kept under detention at the Kondengui prison for close to two years without trial and in very poor conditions, which led to his deteriorating health condition.
    “The attitude of the Prion Administrator is in gross violation of section 123 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic, The United Nations Declaration on the right to health, the international convention against torture, the Mandela Rules and much more duly ratified by Cameroon,” said his lawyers.
    His death has also been condemned by Barr. Agbor Balla Felix, founder of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, CHRDA. “We have received with dismay the tragic death of Rev. Tangem Thomas at the YaoundĂ© Central Hospital… CHRDA is concerned with the fact that he was unable to get proper medical attention, a right which is enshrined under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Cameroon Criminal Procedure Code.,” partly read Balla’s post on his Facebook page.
    “…We call on the Cameroonian prison authorities to provide better medical services to inmates and not to subject them to any form of inhumane and degrading treatment his interlocutors that steps are being taken in this direction,” he said.
    To recall is the fact that Shufai Blaise, one of the detained Ambazonia leaders also underwent said treatment at the Military Hospital when he took ill and was rushed there in May this year.

Act of Protest?


Limbe City Bulldozers Set on Fire Amid ‘Unpopular’ Demolitions

By Ticha Melanis in Limbe

Three bulldozers were set ablaze Thursday by yet unidentified men, at a garage in Mile two Limbe, where the City council parks its heavy duty equipment. Two of the bulldozers were in good condition while one was bad and grounded.
   

Limbe City bulldozers set on fire
Reports said the control boards of the bulldozers were damaged leading observers to conclude that the perpetrators of the criminal act targeted mostly the very indispensable parts of the heavy duty machines.   
    The city mayor, Andrew Motanga, visited the site alongside the Fako SDO, the Limbe 1 DO and some city council staff.
    It is believed the bulldozers were burned as a way of protesting against ongoing demolitions in the sea-side city. The demolitions by the city council authorities had sparked massive criticism and outrage by the affected populations, mostly the less-privilege and down-trodden masses.
    But the City Mayor has vowed the demolitions would be pursued, the destruction of the bulldozers notwithstanding.
    Investigations have been opened to track down the criminals. Meanwhile, the night watchman of the garage has been kept in police custody to help the police in investigations.
    As at press time on Sunday, it was not known if the bulldozers were damaged irretrievably by the fire or if they can be fixed.
 

Untouchable Press Baron:


Amougou Belinga Defies Peter Essoka Again
-The proprietor of Vision4 TV and some of his ‘boys’ have continued broadcasting in defiance of a suspension by the National Communication Council
By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde

Cameroon’s National Communication Council, NCC on Tuesday 4 August 2020 suspended Jean Pierre Amougou Belinga, CEO of Groupe l’Anecdote and two other journalists of Vision 4 TV for a period ranging one to three months for media offences.
    Their suspension follows decisions made during the 27th ordinary session of the council that held 30 July 2020. Five cases relating to media regulation were examined during the session.
    The suspended journalists of Vision 4, Jean Jacques Ze and Parfait Ayissi have however snubbed the decision, and have continued presenting programmes on the organ.
    The NCC decision suspended Jean Pierre Amougou Belinga, owner of Vision 4 TV cum CEO of Groupe l’Anecdote from his duties as publisher together with two journalists working for the channel, Jean Jacques Ze and Parfait Ayissi for a period of one month.
    The Peter Essoka led council stated that the channel disseminated abusive and stigmatising remarks that jeopardize the honour of persons and the dignity of a community during three of its programmes; “Tour d’Horizon” of June 25, “Club d’elites” of July 5 and the Midday news of July 2, 2020, adding that they were served a summon which they never respected to appear before the council.
    Two other journalists, one from La Meteo newspaper, Michel Tafou and Jean Marie Anaba of Royal FM were slammed a three-month and one-month suspensions respectively.
    On the case involving the Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr. Madeleine Tchuente and the French daily tabloid, Mutation, concerning the publication of what the NCC termed an “almost imaginary” interview, the publisher, Georges Alain Boyomo was warned for the genre that attributed the Minister unfounded declarations. Other French newspapers, Le Soir and La MĂ©tĂ©o were warned on issues related to professionalism.

Clean City Contest:

MINDHU Boosts Preparation of Limbe Councils
By Ticha Melanis in Limbe

The ministry of Housing and Urban Development on Wednesday August 5, 2020 donated some cleaning materials to councils in Limbe to assist them clean their cities ahead of the national cleanest city competition organized by the ministry. 
   

MINDHU boosts clean city contest in Limbe
legate of MINDHU, Ngangsi Regina.
    Speaking to the recipients, Ngangsi said: “on the occasion of the launching of the cleanest city competition launched by the minister of housing and urban development, and because Limbe councils are competing, the minister taught it wise to hand over some materials to the councils.”
    The materials consist of wheel barrows, cutlasses, spades, nose masks amongst others. Each council went home with ten of the items.
    The competition which started on 5 August 2020 will run till 25 of September. The presentation of the awards will be on the occasion of the World Habitat Day to be celebrated on 5 October in Douala.
    The clean cities competition is open to all the sub divisional councils of the city councils of Yaounde, Douala and Limbe.
    The selection will be done in two steps viz selection of the cleanest council of each city by a local jury and the selection of the cleanest council from each of the cities to be done by a national jury which will comprise personnel from MINDHU.
    Consistency of operations and cleanliness assessment criteria include cleaning of streets, maintenance of road system and various networks, waste management, maintenance of water supply points, political vision of municipal executives and many more. 
    Quizzed on what the ministry is doing as LCC go about demolishing ‘carabot’ buildings just so the city can be clean, the SDO said plank buildings are temporal structures; they don’t have building permits.
    The clean city competition is aimed to strengthen involvement of stakeholders in the cleaning of the urban environment. It is also aimed to encourage people to adopt best practices in waste management, hygiene and sanitation.

Anglophone Crisis:

Gov’t Suspends Salaries of Absentee Workers
The government of Cameroon has suspended the salaries of at least 100 civil servants in the restive North West Region who have been absent from the duty post, Governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique has revealed.
The Governor made the announcement in Bamenda on Thursday, July 30 as he chaired the first regional Coordination and security meeting.
   

Cameroon gov’t has suspended the salaries of at least 100 civil servants in the North West Region
 

He said the salaries of the workers were suspended after a regional disciplinary board meeting which found them guilty of abandoning their duty posts.
    The salaries would only be reinstated when they return following the due government procedures, Mr Lele added.
    According to UN statistics, about 600.000 persons have been internally displaced as a result of a long drawn conflict in the restive Anglophone regions that started with a strike by teachers and lawyers  at the end of 2016.
    Last week, scenes of violence were recorded in the region a civilian killed during a shoot out between the army and separatist fighters on Thursday.  The next day, three  armed separatist fighters were killed by soldiers during a clash in Santa, a locality at the gateway to the region.
    A blast also occurred around a motorpark in Bamenda, though no human casualty was recorded.
    Despite these,  the Governor gave assurances that Cameroon defene and security forces have put the situation “under control” and called on all public servants to return to their duty posts.
    “We know some of (the civil servants) are facing challenges and even the common man is facing challenges but the security forces are doing all to restore peace. We ask all those facing difficulties to report them to the appropriate quarters rather than running away,” Adolphe Lele said.


Accounts Session:

K’ba II Mayor Accuses Ghost Towns for Falling Revenue
-Charges residents to form vigilantes groups and fight ghost town
By Ekoko Willies in Kumba

K’ba II Mayor, Mbachu Jacob Kay
 
The population of Kumba II municipality have been challenged to form vigilante groups in their neighbourhoods to fight separatist-imposed ghost town and lockdown that is dealing a heavy blow on the council’s revenue realization.

    Mayor Mbachu Jacob Kay made the appeal 29 July 2020 during a session to examine and adopt the council’s Administrative and management stores accounts.  "…let's create vigilante groups in all the quarters for our goals…we have to fight the ghost town and lockdown phenomenon," Mbachu implored councilors, adding that the rate at which the civil disobedience calls is respected in the municipality is crippling the council’s revenue avenues and project execution.

    Mbachu pointed out that in 2019 the council budgeted the sum of FCFA 633 000 230 million out of which only a meagre sum of FCFA 183 970 072 million was collected.  This he aid represented just 29.9% of the revenue realized, the worst realization rate recorded in the history of the council. He opined that the council’s declining fortune has further been made worst with the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
    Cognizant of much needed development expected of the council by the population, the Mayor disclosed that despite the challenges, he and his team remain optimistic if given the necessary supported by the population and administration to boost the economic and social standards of the municipality.
    "We have to break our new grounds, explore new territories expand our vision and remain focused," Mbachu said. The session was under the watchful eyes of Meme Second Assistant SDO, Hermia Njonje, who, urged the councilors to remain focus and ensure to handle the difficulties left by the previous team intact to ensure the reutilization of the dream for the municipality.


Amidst Surging COVID-19 Cases:

Olympic Committee Envisages Start of New Season

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde 

Officials of the National Olympic and Sports Committee, CNOSC have brainstormed on possibilities of launching a new season amidst surging COVID-19 cases. This was during their first annual session that held Wednesday 5 August 2020.
   

 Sports minister and officials of Olympic committee 

Speaking while presiding over the session, Sports and Physical Education Minister, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi promised government’s support to the Olympic committee to continue to uphold Olympic values, fight deviant behaviours in sports federations and ensure the growth of sports in the country
    Discussions during the session focused on the management of the health crisis and conditions that would be put in place for efficient resumption of national sports activities.
    Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, President of the National Olympic and Sports Committee, disclosed during the meeting that funds that was allocated for the postponed sporting events will be diverted to rehabilitate and construct sports infrastructure in Bamenda ahead of the next National Games of Cameroon, DIXIADES.
    The meeting also had in attendance erstwhile CAF President who doubles as Board Chair of ANAFOOT, Issa Hayatou, FECAFOOT President, Seidou Mbmbo Njoya and many other not notch sport personalities. 

Curbing campus malpractices:


Y’de II University Adopts Ethics, Deontology Reference Book

By Doh Bertrand Nua in Yaounde

Officials of the University of Yaounde II, Soa and other higher institutions of learning affiliated to it have adopted a code of ethics and deontology reference book to help check malpractices including fraud, corruption and indiscipline within the institution.
    The reference document was adopted Tuesday 4 August 2020 during a meeting chaired by the Rector, Prof. Adolf Minkoa She.
    The Rector in the course of the ceremony to adopt the document said the code book will enable the higher institution to go back to its fundamental principles of liberty, integrity and responsibility. He promised an imminent procurement of a software to check the strict implementation of the guidelines by both officials and students.  
    The ethics book consist four chapters subdivided into 45 sections. It tackles the fundamental principles of ethics and deontology, the rights and duties of all actors in the University milieu, the rules and regulations in force and the action plan to implement.
    “It is very important to lay ground rules for a given community like ours…we are now going to have deontological and ethical rules that will guide us in the way we conduct our day-to-day business, be it in academic field, relationship between teachers and students,” said the Vice Rector, Prof. Edmond Biloa. He added that the document will play a fundamental role in restoring order in the institution.
    The adoption of the code book comes on the heels of a recent circular from the Minister of Higher Education, Prof. Jacques Fame Ndongo in which he ordered all universities in the country to respect the rules of ethics, administrative and academic deontology. It follows the breaching of certain codes ethics and deontology within the universities milieu which has led to corruption, promiscuity, plagiarism, fraud and other vices.
 

Recognizing & Mentoring Gifted Talent:

Bony Dashaco Awards Fcfa 1m to Two Sisters with ‘Angelic Voices’
-Two sisters with angelic, spell-binding voices were the winners of ‘The Bony Dashaco Foundation Voice Award 2020’, for their song which went viral on social media recently.
By Mercy Neba in Douala

 

Bony Dashaco making his remarks after handing the fcfa 1 million cash prize
 

Bony Dashaco will not stop impacting lives and making news headlines in the process. The Founder/CEO of ACMAR Media Group and Dash Holdings, last week put unending smiles on the faces of two young girls, when he invited them to his Porsche office in Bonapriso Douala and handed them a cash prize of Fcfa 1 million as a reward for their spell-binding song, whose video recording took the nation by storm, after it went viral on social media.
    Discovering the song on Facebook, the staffers of ACMAR Group drew the attention of their CEO, Bony Dashaco, who is also the promoter of Bony Dashaco Foundation. Listening to the song, the latter could not conceal his relish for the spell-binding rendition and the ‘angelic voices’ of the two sisters, Ange and Ruth.
    Bony immediately declared them the winners of the Bony Dashaco Foundation Voice Talent Award for 2020. He announced the decision on his Facebook page on 1 August. He asked for any person(s) who knew the two sisters to ask them to get to him or provide their contact to him.
    “Hello Africa, Cameroon has got talents. We finally discovered our two stars and winners of The Bony Dashaco Foundation Voice Talent Award 2020. We have invited them to our head office location in Douala to collect their Award….,” said Bony Dashaco on his Facebook page.
    During the Award ceremony at the head office of ACMAR Group in Douala, Bony Dashaco and his staff had the singular opportunity to witness a live rendition of the award-winning song by the two sisters.
    Before handing the cash prize to the laureates, Bony congratulated them for their immense God-given talent and for their spell-binding voices.
    The ACMAR CEO said the foundation that bears his name: Bony Dashaco Foundation, has as one of its missions and objectives to identify, encourage and mentor young people with exceptional talents and viable projects.
    “You are the winners of The Bony Dashaco Voice Talent Award 2020. Congratulations!” said Bony Dashaco to the happy laureates. He exhorted them to use the cash prize to harness their talent so that they can go to greater heights.
    For their part, the two sisters, Ange and Ruth, could not conceal their joy and appreciation.
    “I am overwhelmed to the extent that I lack words to express my feelings of joy,” said the elder of the two sisters, Ange.
    As for Ruth, the younger of the two, she invoked God to reward, replenish and protect Bony Dashaco, saying only somebody with a kind heart can think of lending a hand to the youth in his community.
    The song that won the Bony Dashaco Foundation 2020 Voice Award, is a gospel song that is sung in
Douala dialect.
   

CAF Sets New Champions League Venue, Date

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has confirmed the venue and format change for the 24th Edition of the 2019/20 Champions League semifinals and final following Cameroon’s withdrawal as host.
This comes a month after FECAFOOT President Seidou Mbombo Njoya in a press conference announced Cameroon’s decision to withdraw from  hosting the 2019/20 CAF Champions League Semifinals and finals due to the Corona virus pandemic. 
    The decision came as a shock to many Cameroonians who opined it was not necessary to declined when top competitions in Europe were going on too, with precautions to limit or prevent the spread of the virus.

    Originally, Ethiopia was on February 4, 2018, designated to host the tournament after the previous finals in Morocco. The Ethiopian Football Federation admitted it was not ready to host this competition, and Cameroon stepped in to replace Ethiopia.  On April 13 2019, Cameroon was appointed to replace Ethiopia as host of the tournament. The appointment came after Cameroon was stripped off the hosting right of the just ended edition of African Cup of Nations in 2019 hosted by Egypt.

    The games were scheduled to take place at one central location in a one-legged format with Al Ahly (Egypt) meeting Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) while Zamalek (Egypt) take on Raja Casablanca (Morocco) in the last-four round.
    According to information released by CAF recently, the semifinals will be played on a home and away basis with the first leg matches to be played on September 25 and 26 in Morocco, while the second leg matches will be played, October 2 and 3, in Egypt.
    The one-off final will happen at a neutral venue on 16 or 17 October 2020. The football body has invited bids from member associations, excluding Egypt and Morocco, for the hosting rights. The deadline for bid submission is August 17, 2020. CAF adds that should two teams from the same FA reach the final, the encounter will be played in that Country. EspĂ©rance de Tunis, who had won the last two titles, was eliminated by Zamalek in the quarter-finals. The winners of the 2019–20 CAF Champions League will qualify for the 2020 FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar, and earn the right to play against the winners of the 2019–20 CAF Confederation Cup in the 2020 CAF Super Cup in August.


Fulfilling 30 Years Promise:


Biya Offers Houses to 22 Italia ‘90’ Heroes
President Paul Biya has signed a decree ordering the allocation of 22 modern accommodations to the 22 Indomitable Lions who took part in the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy.
The good news was broken to the rest of the team by Cameroon’s roving ambassador, Albert Roger Milla.
    This comes 30 years after he made the promise, and also comes on the heels of a letter sent to the President on June 15 by the ‘Collectif des anciens lions indomptables’.
    In the letter signed by the Association’s president Bertin Ebwele, the players reminded the president of his engagement 30 years after, an engagement that was still to be respected.
    Paul Biya first responded on June 26, thanking the players for their sacrifices and their love for the country. Then Mr. Biya responded generously 48 hours ago, instructing his collaborators to make available the lodging facilities to the Lions.
    “We are very grateful the president has finally heard our plea. For the past few days, we have been holding meetings to bring everyone up to speed with information concerning our letter addressed to the President of the Republic”, Bertin Ebwele, President of the Collectif des anciens Lions Indomptables told Crtv-Radio.
    Speculations are rife that the President’s move might have been triggered by the death of the team’s captain, Stephen Tataw.
    Tataw who had been sick for long and abandoned by the government died on July 31st, 2020 at the age of 57.
    In an interview granted to Olympia Sports in YaoundĂ©, one of the 1990 kingpins, Albert Roger Milla, said “the President’s gesture has nothing to do with the unfortunate demise of Tataw Stephen”. Milla further calls on the different generations of the indomitable lion to defend their course.
    Three of the 22 indomitable lions who featured in the 1990 Mundial will not enjoy these modern lodging facilities. Louis Paul Mfede, Benjamin Massing, and Tataw Stephen have all died.
    Meanwhile, Cameroonians have reacted divergently to Mr. Biya’s move. While some have applauded the President for his generosity, others have argued that it came very late.
    According to the Director of the SIC, the allocation of the modern buildings will be executed in the days ahead.